critical care nurse in the army

[PavementRN]

I am a new graduate nurse who is considering joining the Army. My main interest is ICU nursing. If I enlist do I get any say in which specialty I wish to train? I know they offer a critical care course, so can I definitely take that or must I first be in the Army for a certain amount of time?

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

First of all you will be commissioned not enlist. As of right now you need 2 years of experience in order to go on active duty. In the future there will only be a Trauma nurse course. The first class is no attending at Ft. Sam Houston. Once the change over is complete all ICU and ER nurses will be 66T and will have core compiences that they have to maintain in both areas. How and where they will work will depend on the facility.

As far as getting the school in your contract that is something you would have to work out with your healthcare recruiter once you start your paperwork. If it is not in your contract you will have to wait 1 year on station before you would be able to apply for a school.